Today in Herstory: President Wilson (Finally) Endorses Suffrage! (9 jan 19180

[niyad]

Today in Herstory: President Wilson (Finally) Endorses Suffrage!


January 9, 1918: President Wilson has just endorsed the Susan B. Anthony (nationwide woman suffrage) Amendment!

In a momentous and surprise announcement that is sure to help in tomorrow’s crucial House vote, the President has ended many years of evasion and neutrality on the issue by coming out strongly in favor of women having a Constitutionally guaranteed, nationwide right to vote. The announcement came after a meeting with Democratic members of the House Committee on Suffrage, and in the form of a statement given out by its leader
The committee found that the President had not felt at liberty to volunteer his advice to members of Congress in this important matter, but when we sought his advice he very frankly and earnestly advised us to vote for the amendment as an act of right and justice to the women of the country and the world.



The President’s influence has long been considered by many to be the final factor needed to gain the last few Democratic votes necessary to get 2/3 approval in both Houses of Congress and send the amendment to the States for ratification by 36 out of 48 State legislatures.

Speculation over Wilson’s reasons for endorsement at this time runs high. Practical politics certainly played a major part. With Republicans pledged to give the amendment overwhelming support tomorrow, if Democrats block its passage, women in States where they have already won suffrage might vote strongly Republican in the upcoming midterm elections to help the amendment’s chances in the next Congress.

In fact, it was a growing feeling of panic among Democratic leaders about a possible backlash from pro-suffrage voters in November which was the reason for tonight’s meeting with the nation’s highest ranking Democrat in the first place. Reports are that President Wilson went into great detail about why all U.S. women should have the vote, and why changed circumstances (such as U.S. entry into the World War and women’s praiseworthy contributions to the war effort) have now made it appropriate for him to end his neutral stance. Suffrage leaders are, of course, elated. Carrie Chapman Catt, President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association said:

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http://feminist.org/blog/index.php/2015/01/09/today-in-herstory-president-wilson-finally-endorses-suffrage/